Nancy Joyce Biard Nance passed away March 2, 2026, at the age of 95. Nancy was born on June 24, 1930, to Jefferson Braden Biard and Monica Terry Biard in Marshall, Texas. She was delivered at home by her grandfather, Dr. Andrew Crowder Biard who also delivered her sister Carolyn.
She lived in Marshall until her 21st birthday. She married her love of her life, Elbert Sidney Nance, on June 24, 1951. This loving, strong, enduring marriage lasted 74 years. The couple lived in Fort Worth, Spring, Texas, and then retired to Paris to be with their daughter’s family.
Nancy attended North Texas State College, East Texas Baptist College, and UTA in Arlington.
She was a stay-at-home Mom until children were older. Nancy worked in a CPA office, an accountant for 6 home builders, and after obtaining real estate and broker license, she was an estate agent for 6 years.
A member of the Christian Church and charter member of Cypress Creek Christian Church where she served as the second board chairman. This made her the first women to chair a church board in the Southwest Region of the Christian Church. She also served as Chairman of the Coastal Plains Area of Christian Church where she received the Distinguished Service Award. She later served in many areas of the Christian Church with her main interest being Outreach. Nancy’s ancestor, Barton Warren Stone, founded Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1804.
Nancy was on founding boards of Co-Ministry of Lamar County and Habitat for Humanity. She served 11 years as treasurer of both organizations. She volunteered at Paris Regional Medical Center, RSVP, Habitat of Humanity, and Co-Ministry of Lamar County. She served as Chairman of Church Women United and received the Valliant Women Award.
Nancy was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of the American Revolution where she received their first Community Service Award, and Good Earth Garden Club.
Between home, traveling, hobbies, and volunteering she stayed busy. She loved making stain glass pieces.
She took pride in the fact that she was involved in the making a very large piece for the new sanctuary at Cypress Creek Christian Church. After moving to Paris, she taught a class to make more church windows. She learned to quilt and taught herself to knit. She enjoyed playing golf, square dancing with Elbert, jig saw puzzles, and other crafts especially mosaics. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elbert, and son Randy, her sister Carolyn Heald and brother-in-law Charles Heald, nephew Garland Lamb, and a niece Peggy Mathews. Nancy is survived by her daughter Terry Andrea Barnett and husband Michael, grandson Randy and wife Megan, and grandson Ben and wife Kandace. Great grandchildren are Ella, Wyatt, Harper, and Brooks. Nieces Deborah Lightfoot, Bebe Wentworth and nephews Britt Scott, Philip Lamb, and Warren Lee Cooper and many great and great, great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, family request donations to Paris Habitat and Food Pantry. The family would like to thank the staff at Springlake Assisted Living for three good years of care and love.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Chad Lamb officiating. Private burial will be made in Meadowbrook Gardens.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
